sephora

Recently, several beauty bloggers, and myself, were given one of two challenges – to create two eye looks or show off some dupes on a limited budget. To do this we were provided with $50 credit to Sephora, Ulta or drugstore.com. I decided I would show two looks, so I took my Sephora giftcard and off I went shopping, with the help of some Sephora coupon codes, as it is easy to go thru $50 quickly there.

The best way to get the most value for your money is to get a complete collection that includes a shadow palette – in this case, I snatched up the LORAC Private Affair collection. It includes eyeshadow primer, a 6-color eyeshadow palette, with a range of shades from light to dark wine, a cream eyeliner in “Plum” and a volumizing mascara.

The great thing about this palette is that it gives you the ability to have a daytime look with the lighter, neutral shades, and a nighttime look with the darker shades, all from this one palette. And with the eye primer, it will make the light shades appear brighter and your night look will be richer and last longer. The gel liner is silky smooth and is easily applied to really outline your eyes for the night. The mascara does a great job of opening up the eyes for the day and really enhancing that smokey eye for the night with its big volumizing formula.

(*I would have showed you these on my eyes, but, this stupid weather around here in Oklahoma has got my allergy eyes just weeping up a storm, so there wasn’t any way to give you guys a true shot of it all.)

And now I have a chance for you to win your own Sephora gift card to create your own day and night looks, only this one is for $300! Just enter in the Rafflecopter widget below:

When the holidays roll around, brands love to bring out great all in one kits to wish for or to give as gifts. This year is no exception. Here are several palettes that I wouldn’t mind getting…or giving (*those words are so similar, right?) this year:

Are you guys busy planning out your Thanksgiving strategy? Or are you planning out your Black Friday spending strategy instead? I’m in the middle of both, since there is so much involved in each event – one just tastes better than the other. 😉

I’m going to share with you my list of places that I know are having beauty specific sales, so maybe it will help you to have them all in one place to help you plan. Now, Black Friday specials online aren’t always just on Friday – some of the deals are going on now and some even include Cyber Monday (*which I will have a separate post for that this weekend, just in case you want to hang on to some pennies for then). No matter which days they are available, you can do all of your shopping in your pj’s with your hot toddy! But, if you are one that likes to go out and hand-pick your items, consider doing your shopping locally on Small Business Saturday.

Let’s roll:

AHAVADates: Now thru November 25thDeal: 40% off using code BLACKFRIDAY at checkout.

BeautySageDates: Now thru November 24thDeal: 20% off sitewide, using code THANKS at checkout.

Becca CosmeticsDates: Now thru November 24thDeal: 20% off $50 purchase with code GIVETHANKS.

Dates: November 25th (Sunday only)Deal: Spend $75 and get a free mini Shimmering Skin Perfector and full-size Beach Tint. Spend $125 and get those two products plus two full-size Glossy Lip Tints and a Becca Brown Cosmetics Pouch. Plus, Becca is releasing a limited-edition nail color collection for $30.

Benefit CosmeticsDates: November 23rd thru November 25thDeal: Spend $30 and get a free deluxe mini BADgal lash mascara. Spend $60 and also get a FREE deluxe mini the porefessional. Spend $90 and also get a deluxe mini sugarbomb using STAYCATION at checkout.

BlissDates: November 23rd thru November 27thDeal: Up to 50% savings on select luxury items, 30% on Bliss and Remede bundles & sets, and save 20% on select Bliss, Remede and Elemis products.

I know I am not the only one that thinks a black smoky eye is just too heavy for them. Well, I love the fact that we are not limited to *only* black for a smoky eye, but can use other shades in the same style. Luckily, brands are hip to this and work to help us lovelies out. Take for instance, tarte. They have teamed up with Sephora to create the new, limited-edition Beauty in a Box: Bronze Smoky Eye kit.

“Be bronzed and beautiful with this Sephora exclusive kit packed with best-sellers and brand new products featured in new shades; all of which are waterproof or water-resistant for a look that will last morning ’til night! From lids to lips, each longwearing must-have perfectly complements each other for an overall bronze glow topped off with a modern take on an old favorite: the bronze smoky eye. Unlike the traditional charcoal smoky eye, this look is flattering on a wide variety of skin tones and can easily be worn day to night.”

Have I ever told you guys that “Metro Chic” is my favorite nailpolish? If I haven’t, let me tell you now. “Metro Chic” from Sephora by OPI is my favorite nailpolish. It’s greige goodness, w/ a hint of purple, was on waitlist even before the first collection ever came out in the stores – it was just that good. Which was a great precursor to what was to follow – the Sephora by OPI line has been a winner.

As the seasons change, so do their collections. This spring their collection is called “Modern Flowers”, “Inspired by the beautiful blossoms in an ultramodern bouquet, the vibrant pinks, soft pastels, and funky brights will be the finishing touch on any chic outfit this season”:

Sephora by OPI Leaf Him at the Altar ($9) – This flower-inspired metallic, vine-green polish will make the rest green with envy.

Sephora by OPI Go With the Flow-er ($9) – Sit back and smell the flowers (on your fingertips) with this bright tulip pink shade with hot pink shimmer.

Sephora by OPI Iris I Was Thinner ($9) – This elegant iris purple crème will add a trendy touch to any summer outfit, day or night.

Sephora by OPI It’s Bouquet With Me ($9) – Add a splash of sparkle to your step with this sheer violet with silver and holographic glitter.

Sephora by OPI Cover Me in Petals ($9) – Every girl loves flowers – so give this gift of creamy coral color to yourself this Spring.

Sephora by OPI Handpicked for Me ($9) – This light pink lilac sparkle with silver shimmer is the perfect addition to a sweet Spring day.

Any of these catching your eye? Lemme know if you pick up any of these, or if you already use SOPI, let me know what color you rock.